Olney is a small town near Milton Keynes, England with a population of around 6,000 people. It lies on the River Great Ouse.
The town originally grew as a lace-making centre, and is the place where the Olney Hymns were written. John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace was curate of Olney and is buried here.
Since 1445, a pancake race has been run in the town every Pancake Day.
Before an administrative boundary change in 1995, Olney was in Buckinghamshire. It now forms part of the Borough of Milton Keynes, a unitary authority.
Last updated: 06-01-2005 19:14:23